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The Monitor
Keeping the Pulse on the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps • Vol 5, Issue 1 – Spring 2010
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE
PAID
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
PERMIT No. 1078
Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps
1111 Classen Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
8 1
The Monitor
Volunteers Building Strong, Healthy And Prepared Communities!
In This Spring 2010 Issue:
FRONT PAGE
Are You Red Dirt Ready?...........................................................................................................................Pages 1-2
MRC PARTNERS’ POINTS
Local News from MRC Partners...................................................................................................................... Page 3
CARING, CAPABLE & READY
December Blizzard/January Ice Storm............................................................................................................ Page 4
FRIENDS IN FOCUS
Meet Volunteer Tony Carbone........................................................................................................................ Page 5
HOMELAND SECURITY TRAINING
Selected MRC Volunteer Attends CDP in Alabama....................................................................................... Page 5
VITAL STEPS
OKMRC Unit Expansions.............................................................................................................................. Page 6
MRC TRAINING
Training Information....................................................................................................................................... Page 7
For more information please visit the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps Web site at okmrc.org
The MRC Monitor is published quarterly by the
Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps,
1111 Classen Drive
Oklahoma City, OK, 73103 USA.
All rights reserved.
Some of the world’s most severe weather hits
the United States and to most people that doesn’t
mean much, but Oklahomans know differently.
Weather disasters make headlines with reports
of injuries, deaths and destruction that cost
billions. Each year, Americans cope with an
average of 10,000 thunderstorms, 5,000 floods,
1,000 tornadoes, and on average two hurricanes
that make landfall with a deadly impact. All of
these on top of winter storms, intense summer
heat, high winds, wild fires and other disasterous
weather events. As the temperature rises and
people gather outdoors, you should know what
actions to take in order to protect yourself, family,
pets and property when severe weather strikes.
You can make sure your community is ready for
the weather with the National Weather Service’s
StormReady® program.
Around 90 percent of all presidentially declared
disasters are weather related and lead to around
500 deaths per year and nearly $14 billion in
damage, according to the National Oceanic and
Atomospeheric Administration. StormReady,
a program started in 1999 in Tulsa, helps arm
communities with the communication and
safety skills needed to save lives and property
- before and during the event. It also helps
community leaders and emergency managers
strengthen local safety programs. StormReady
communities are better prepared to save lives
from the onslaught of severe weather through
advanced planning, education and awareness.
Communities aren’t storm proof, so Oklahomans
get Red Dirt Ready! To learn more, log on to
www.stormready.noaa.gov
“As we approach the peak tornado season
in Oklahoma, now is the time for you and your
family to be prepared for severe weather,” said
Robert Darby, Sr. Forecaster, National Weather
Service, Tulsa.
TORNADOES
One of the most destructive forces in nature
A tornado is a violently rotating column of air
extending from the base of a thunderstorm down
to the ground. Tornado intensities are classified
on the Fujita Scale developed by Dr. Theodore
“Ted” Fujita in the 1970s. However, it is now
known as the Enhanced Fujita Scale EF0 to EF5
and is used by meteorologists to estimate the
tornado’s wind speeds by assessing damage to
structures. Tornados are capable of completely
destroying well-made structures, uprooting trees
and hurling objects through the air like deadly
missiles with speeds reaching 300 mph. Ever
heard of Tornado Alley? Coined by the media,
it describes the plains between the Rocky and
Appalachian Mountains where the strongest
tornadoes occur most frequently. Tornadoes
have been reported in every state. They rank as
nature’s most violent storm.
PREPARE
During any storm, listen to local news or
an NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed
about watches and warnings and know your
community’s warning system. If you have
children, practice periodic tornado drills so
that everyone knows what to do if a tornado is
approaching.
Consider having your safe room reinforced.
Plans for reinforcing an interior room to provide
better protection can be found on the FEMA Web
site at http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/rms/
rmsp453.shtm.
Prepare for high winds by removing diseased
and damaged limbs from trees. Move or secure
lawn furniture, trash cans, hanging plants or
anything else that can be picked up by the wind
and become a projectile.
WATCH FOR SIGNS
n Dark, often greenish clouds are a
phenomenon caused by hail
n Wall cloud that has a lowering with rotation
n Cloud of debris
n Large hail
n Funnel cloud with a visible rotating extension
of the cloud base
n Do not wait until you see the tornado.
n In a house with a basement - Get in the
basement!
KNOW HOW TO ACT
n In a house with no basement, a dorm, or an
apartment - Go to the lowest floor, small center
room, under a stairwell, or in an interior hallway
with no windows.
n In an office building, hospital, nursing home
or skyscraper - Go directly to an enclosed,
windowless area in the center of the building.
n In a mobile home: Get out! Most tornadoes can
destroy even tied-down mobile homes. If your
community has a tornado shelter, go there fast. If
there is a sturdy permanent building within easy
running distance, seek shelter there. Otherwise,
lie flat on low ground away from your home,
protecting your head.
n At school - Follow the drill! Go to the interior
hall or room in an orderly way as you are told.
n In a car or truck - If the tornado is visible but
far away, you may be able to drive out of its path
by moving at right angles to the tornado. If not,
get out and seek shelter in a sturdy building. If in
the open country, run to low ground, lie flat and
face-down, protecting the back of your head with
your arms.
n In a shopping mall or large store - Do not
panic. Watch for others. Move as quickly as
possible to an interior bathroom, storage room or
other small enclosed area, away from windows.
continued on page 2
ARE YOU RED DIRT READY?
PLAN TODAY AND BE PREPARED FOR SEVERE WEATHER TOMORROW
THE OKMRC IS

The Monitor
Keeping the Pulse on the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps • Vol 5, Issue 1 – Spring 2010
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE
PAID
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
PERMIT No. 1078
Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps
1111 Classen Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
8 1
The Monitor
Volunteers Building Strong, Healthy And Prepared Communities!
In This Spring 2010 Issue:
FRONT PAGE
Are You Red Dirt Ready?...........................................................................................................................Pages 1-2
MRC PARTNERS’ POINTS
Local News from MRC Partners...................................................................................................................... Page 3
CARING, CAPABLE & READY
December Blizzard/January Ice Storm............................................................................................................ Page 4
FRIENDS IN FOCUS
Meet Volunteer Tony Carbone........................................................................................................................ Page 5
HOMELAND SECURITY TRAINING
Selected MRC Volunteer Attends CDP in Alabama....................................................................................... Page 5
VITAL STEPS
OKMRC Unit Expansions.............................................................................................................................. Page 6
MRC TRAINING
Training Information....................................................................................................................................... Page 7
For more information please visit the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps Web site at okmrc.org
The MRC Monitor is published quarterly by the
Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps,
1111 Classen Drive
Oklahoma City, OK, 73103 USA.
All rights reserved.
Some of the world’s most severe weather hits
the United States and to most people that doesn’t
mean much, but Oklahomans know differently.
Weather disasters make headlines with reports
of injuries, deaths and destruction that cost
billions. Each year, Americans cope with an
average of 10,000 thunderstorms, 5,000 floods,
1,000 tornadoes, and on average two hurricanes
that make landfall with a deadly impact. All of
these on top of winter storms, intense summer
heat, high winds, wild fires and other disasterous
weather events. As the temperature rises and
people gather outdoors, you should know what
actions to take in order to protect yourself, family,
pets and property when severe weather strikes.
You can make sure your community is ready for
the weather with the National Weather Service’s
StormReady® program.
Around 90 percent of all presidentially declared
disasters are weather related and lead to around
500 deaths per year and nearly $14 billion in
damage, according to the National Oceanic and
Atomospeheric Administration. StormReady,
a program started in 1999 in Tulsa, helps arm
communities with the communication and
safety skills needed to save lives and property
- before and during the event. It also helps
community leaders and emergency managers
strengthen local safety programs. StormReady
communities are better prepared to save lives
from the onslaught of severe weather through
advanced planning, education and awareness.
Communities aren’t storm proof, so Oklahomans
get Red Dirt Ready! To learn more, log on to
www.stormready.noaa.gov
“As we approach the peak tornado season
in Oklahoma, now is the time for you and your
family to be prepared for severe weather,” said
Robert Darby, Sr. Forecaster, National Weather
Service, Tulsa.
TORNADOES
One of the most destructive forces in nature
A tornado is a violently rotating column of air
extending from the base of a thunderstorm down
to the ground. Tornado intensities are classified
on the Fujita Scale developed by Dr. Theodore
“Ted” Fujita in the 1970s. However, it is now
known as the Enhanced Fujita Scale EF0 to EF5
and is used by meteorologists to estimate the
tornado’s wind speeds by assessing damage to
structures. Tornados are capable of completely
destroying well-made structures, uprooting trees
and hurling objects through the air like deadly
missiles with speeds reaching 300 mph. Ever
heard of Tornado Alley? Coined by the media,
it describes the plains between the Rocky and
Appalachian Mountains where the strongest
tornadoes occur most frequently. Tornadoes
have been reported in every state. They rank as
nature’s most violent storm.
PREPARE
During any storm, listen to local news or
an NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed
about watches and warnings and know your
community’s warning system. If you have
children, practice periodic tornado drills so
that everyone knows what to do if a tornado is
approaching.
Consider having your safe room reinforced.
Plans for reinforcing an interior room to provide
better protection can be found on the FEMA Web
site at http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/rms/
rmsp453.shtm.
Prepare for high winds by removing diseased
and damaged limbs from trees. Move or secure
lawn furniture, trash cans, hanging plants or
anything else that can be picked up by the wind
and become a projectile.
WATCH FOR SIGNS
n Dark, often greenish clouds are a
phenomenon caused by hail
n Wall cloud that has a lowering with rotation
n Cloud of debris
n Large hail
n Funnel cloud with a visible rotating extension
of the cloud base
n Do not wait until you see the tornado.
n In a house with a basement - Get in the
basement!
KNOW HOW TO ACT
n In a house with no basement, a dorm, or an
apartment - Go to the lowest floor, small center
room, under a stairwell, or in an interior hallway
with no windows.
n In an office building, hospital, nursing home
or skyscraper - Go directly to an enclosed,
windowless area in the center of the building.
n In a mobile home: Get out! Most tornadoes can
destroy even tied-down mobile homes. If your
community has a tornado shelter, go there fast. If
there is a sturdy permanent building within easy
running distance, seek shelter there. Otherwise,
lie flat on low ground away from your home,
protecting your head.
n At school - Follow the drill! Go to the interior
hall or room in an orderly way as you are told.
n In a car or truck - If the tornado is visible but
far away, you may be able to drive out of its path
by moving at right angles to the tornado. If not,
get out and seek shelter in a sturdy building. If in
the open country, run to low ground, lie flat and
face-down, protecting the back of your head with
your arms.
n In a shopping mall or large store - Do not
panic. Watch for others. Move as quickly as
possible to an interior bathroom, storage room or
other small enclosed area, away from windows.
continued on page 2
ARE YOU RED DIRT READY?
PLAN TODAY AND BE PREPARED FOR SEVERE WEATHER TOMORROW
THE OKMRC IS